Optimal control of a simple species augmentation model
by
Erin N. Bodine
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Coauthors: Louis Gross, Suzanne Lenhart

The ecological conservation method of “species augmentation” attempts to reduce species loss by augmenting declining or threatened populations with individuals from captive-bred or stable, wild populations. We use optimal control theory to determine the augmentation strategy for a declining target population where a growing reserve population is available. An objective functional is formulated to maximize the target population by the final time while minimizing the cost of translocating reserve individuals to the target population. Analysis of numerical simulations examine the effects of varying parameter values and provide conclusions as to the conditions in which augmentation is most effective.

Date received: September 11, 2007